UFC 134 Results: 3 Fights Edson Barboza Should Take Next
Edson Barboza (9-0) proves that he is the real deal! See what I did there?
Barboza was able to win a split decision victory over Ross "The Real Deal" Pearson (if you don't see what I did before, you should now), utilizing some great striking to earn the victory.
Barboza has now won three in a row in the UFC, including a Fight of the Night performance against Anthony Njokuani at UFC 128.
Barboza appears to be ready for a step up in competition, so here are three potential matchups for his next fight.
Sean Sherk
1 of 4Sean Sherk seems like a reasonable matchup for any lightweight these days.
Sherk is a former champion, and is still a good fighter, albeit a sporadic one.
Sherk hasn't fought since September, but is planning a return for sometime this fall.
A win over a big name like Sherk would be huge for Barboza's career.
Takanori Gomi/ Nate Diaz Winner
2 of 4At UFC 135, Nate Diaz makes his return to the lightweight division when he takes on the former Pride lightweight champion, Takanori Gomi.
Both of these fighters are big names, and both represent big steps up for Barboza.
Diaz is one of the more well-known fighters in the UFC, and Gomi is the former No. 1 lightweight in the world.
Either of them would be a big test, and a good gauge for where Barboza stands in the crowded UFC lightweight division.
Donald Cerrone
3 of 4This fight seems the most likely to me, as it would pit two fast rising lightweight competitors against each other.
Most of the times Cerrone fights, he holds a size advantage over his competitors; this would not be the case in this fight.
Cerrone would be only an inch taller, and would be at a three-inch reach disadvantage.
Not only would size be interesting, but both fighters are solid Muay Thai strikers, and capable grapplers.
Cerrone is a black belt, but Barboza is only a purple belt. If this fight happens, that could be a big factor.
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